Jul 10, 2022
2KINGS 9-10:
Yesterday we heard one of my favorite Old
Testament stories: The one about the three lepers and the famine in
Samaria. Elisha's prophecy was so dramatically fulfilled, and the
scoffing officer could be a parable for modern times. Then we heard
how the woman from Shunem returned and was blessed a second time.
The narrative switched briefly to the kingdom of Judah and
Ahaziah's reign.
PSALM 127:
About ‘children/sons’ in v. 3, NET’s note says
this:
Some prefer to translate this word with the gender neutral “children,” but “sons” are plainly in view here, as the following verses make clear. Daughters are certainly wonderful additions to a family, but in ancient Israelite culture sons were the “arrows” that gave a man security in his old age, for they could defend the family interests at the city gate, where the legal and economic issues of the community were settled.
This psalm would not be considered politically correct in today’s world. Let’s understand it with a historical perspective learn from it.
JOHN 12b:
Following the raising of Lazarus, the Jewish
leaders became even more firm in their plans to kill
Jesus.
NLT Translation notes:
John
12:4 But Judas [, the man from the village of Carioth// Iscariot],
the disciple who would soon betray him, said,
28
[Rather, I pray,] Father, bring glory to your
name.”
Then a voice spoke
from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and
I will do so again.”
39 But the people couldn’t
believe, for as Isaiah [reported the Lord’s words//also
said],
40 “[I have//The
Lord has] blinded their eyes
and
hardened their hearts—
so
that their eyes cannot see,
and
their hearts cannot understand,
and
they cannot turn to me
and
have me heal them.”
41
Isaiah[‘s prophecy] was referring to Jesus when he said this,
because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s
glory.
42
Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the
Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the
Pharisees would expel them from the
synagogue[s].
44
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you [believe in/trust] me, you are
[not just believing in//trusting not only] me, but also God who
sent me.
47 I
will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come
to save the world [,//and] not to judge it.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.